ABSTRACT
Increasing evidence suggests an association between ele-vated serum aminotransferase levels and metabolic disorders [metabolic syndrome, hyperlipemia and diabetes mellitus]. However, the significance of relatively low levels of aminotransferases in relation to metabolic disorders has not been fully investigated in the general population. We inves-tigated the association between serum amiontransferase levels and metabolic disorders using data from a survey in Jilin province, China. In 2007, a survey was conducted throughout Jilin, China, covering both urban and rural areas. A total of 3835 people, 18 to 79 years old including 1761 men and 2074 women, underwent real-time ultrasonography, blood tests including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and had interviews with a structured questionnaire. Serum aminotransferase levels within the normal range were asso-ciated with metabolic syndrome independent of age, occupation, cultural and educational level, income, body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, and alcohol intake. Compared with the lowest level [<20 IU/L], the adjusted odds ratios for ALT levels of 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and>50 IU/L were 1.92, 2.50, 2.97, and 3.52 in men, and 1.38, 1.54, 3.06, and 2.62 in women, respectively. Near-normal serum aminotransferase levels asso-ciated with hyperlipemia, NAFLD, DM were also found in the study. Normal to near-normal serum aminotransferase levels are associated with metabolic disorders. Serum ALT levels of 21-25 IU/L for men and 17-22 IU/L for women are suggested as cutoff levels that detect metabolic disorders affecting the liver